Greg Oden now faces felony charge, too

After being arrested early Thursday, Aug. 7, 2014, for battery, Greg Oden is taken to Marion County Community Corrections where he is outfitted with an electronic monitoring device before being released from police custody.
Justin L. Mack/The Indianapolis Star

Buy Photo

Greg Oden is escorted into the Marion County Community Corrections building on Thursday.(Photo: Brent Drinkut/The Indianapolis Star)Buy Photo

NBA free agent Greg Oden is now facing a felony charge after police said he attacked his former girlfriend after a night of drinking.

Court documents filed today say the 7-foot-tall, 285-pound Oden is accused of punching Christina Green in the face three times and fracturing a bone in her nose.

His mother, awoken by the commotion, had to pull the former No. 1 draft pick off his bloodied former girlfriend to bring the incident to an end, documents state.

Oden, 26, was charged today in Marion Superior Court with one count of battery resulting in serious bodily injury, a Level 5 felony, as well as misdemeanor charges of domestic battery and battery resulting in bodily injury.

His felony offense carries a penalty of one to six years behind bars.

Oden was arrested shortly after 3:30 a.m. Thursday in his mother's Lawrence home, according to a Lawrence Police Department report. He is slated to appear in court for his initial hearing Tuesday afternoon.

According to court documents, police were called to the home in the 7200 block of Maple Bluff Place for a report of an injured person. Upon arrival, officers began speaking with Oden, who was outside the home.

Inside, Green was lying on the sofa with blood on her face, documents state. She had swelling and cuts to her nose, as well as cuts to her forehead.

Blood could be seen on the floor and sofa, documents state. Dirt from a knocked over flower pot also was scattered on the floor.

As Green cried and refused medical treatment, her best friend told police that Oden punched Green in the face, documents state.

Police said Green initially told investigators that she fell. She did not respond to questions about the incident and would not allow officials to photograph her injuries.

Oden's mother, Zoe Oden, was home at the time and was awoken by the argument, documents state. Zoe Oden told police that every time the two visited and went out an argument ensued.

Oden was calm and cooperative with police, court documents state.

He is quoted as saying: "Thing go out of control, and I started to go after Christina. My mother and Toni tried to hold me back, but I swung my arms to move them out of the way and then punched Christina in the face. I was wrong, and I know what has to happen."

After her son's arrest, Zoe Oden told police that things appeared to be fine between the on-and-off couple before the incident, court documents state. She added that she did not see what happened, but she had to pull her son off of Green.

After the altercation, Green was taken to Community North Hospital for three stitches to her face and additional treatment. Documents state that she also had a closed fracture on the upper portion of the bridge of her nasal bone and may need surgery in the future.

Green later told police that she went to a club the night before the incident with Oden and Fields, documents state. She said that Oden had been drinking while they were out, stating that he sometimes gets upset when he drinks.

Green also told investigators that he only stopped hitting her when he saw blood on her face, documents state.

A prep star at Lawrence North, Oden and teammate Mike Conley Jr. led the Wildcats to three successive state titles (2004-2006) and continued their success at Ohio State, where they led the Buckeyes to the national title game as freshmen.

After one year of college, Oden entered the NBA Draft and was the No. 1 overall selection by Portland, one pick ahead of NBA superstar Kevin Durant. Oden missed his entire rookie season following microfracture surgery on his right knee as missed time would soon become the theme of Oden's pro career. He managed to play 82 games over two years with the Blazers before missing three entire seasons to ongoing knee ailments (2011-13).

Oden made a comeback last season, signing a free agent deal with the Miami Heat.

Greg Oden leaves the Marion County Community Corrections building after being fitted with a electronic monitoring device, on Thursday, August 7, 2014, in Indianapolis. Oden was arrested for battery on his ex-girlfriend. Brent Drinkut/The Star

Greg Oden leaves the Marion County Community Corrections building after being fitted with a electronic monitoring device, on Thursday, August 7, 2014, in Indianapolis. Oden was arrested for battery on his ex-girlfriend. Brent Drinkut/The Star

Greg Oden leaves the Marion County Community Corrections building after being fitted with a electronic monitoring device, on Thursday, August 7, 2014, in Indianapolis. Oden was arrested for battery on his ex-girlfriend. Brent Drinkut/The Star

Greg Oden leaves the Marion County Community Corrections building after being fitted with a electronic monitoring device, on Thursday, August 7, 2014, in Indianapolis. Oden was arrested for battery on his ex-girlfriend. Brent Drinkut/The Star